The build begins tommorow - have a couple of questions.

[RockECU]

Hey guys. Newbie here.. I will be doing my first build starting tommorow with my nF4 Infinity SLI board. But after much, much, much reading, I have a few questions.

 

#1 - Should I update to the latest INF-SLI bios no matter what?

 

#2 - As far as bios settings go, should I refer to the settings used by Angry and RGone in posts #1 and #18 of this thread... http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5844 (Ed jacobsen originally used these settings in his step-by-step guide).

 

#3 - How many of you would like to see a guide/journal done for my building experience?

 

#4 - Strange question, but I have to ask it.. With the 24 pin power connector, is every slot filled or is there 1 empty?

 

Just a little fyi - while I will be setting my system up for overclocking in the near future (next couple of months), I will not be concerned with setting it up to OC right off the bat.

 

Thanks in advance everybody for all of your help and your patience.

[madian225]

Hi

 

I would definately update to the latest BIOS as it may well save you a few problems at a later date.

 

As for the BIOS settings I would make sure that you know exactly what you are doing first and would just use the optimised default settings to get yourself started. Unless of course you are having major boot problems.

 

I would use 1 RAM module initially to load windows, try using the top most RAM slot first and if the PC fails to boot then try moving the RAM module down one slot to the second slot (1st Orange slot) as it may well boot then.

 

I had this problem when I built mine and using the 1st Orange slot enabled my PC to boot and then you can add the 2nd RAM module to either the 2nd Yellow slot (if your PC boots using the top RAM slot) or the 2nd Orangle slot if you have had to move the initial RAM module down one.....if that makes sense.

 

The AMD overclockers guide is a must read and you will see why after you have read it. If you are having problems getting your rig up and running you could try the settings listed but from my own experience it is often better to get there by yourself with a little help from the fellow forum members here. I personally found that the CPU volts quoted were a little too high for my setup which is why I am doing things step by step and get to the settings that suit my own setup and RAM.

 

As for a journal I suspect that a number of people would be very interested in reading how you go, what problems you faced, how you sorted them and what the final outcome was especially if they are thinking of going down the same route as you.

 

 

The 24 pin socket on the M/B will fit the 24 pin socket off of the PSU and yes there may well be an empty socket in the PSU socket as I recall from memory there was on mine.

 

Hope this helps.

[RockECU]

madian - thanks a bunch for the reply. I will definitely use all of your suggestions and thanks for your input/answers to my questions.

[RockECU]

Alright guys.. Here's the plan I'm going to use, based off of ed jacobsen's post with a few differences.

 

1 - Get familiarized with how to assemble a PC generally, including:

http://www.mysuperpc.com/build/pc_parts_list.shtml

http://www.buildyourowncomputer.net/learntobuild.html

http://www.motherboards.org/article...ides/924_1.html

http://www.build-your-own-computer-tips.com/

and many of the threads throughout this board - most importantly ed jacobsen's thread which can be found here... http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6615

... or any other site I may come across.

 

2 - Place motherboard on insulated surface (on wood table and pad shipped with motherboard)

 

3 - Inspect and prepare motherboard, adjust jumpers as necessary.

 

4 - Before installing CPU and heatsink I will be detaching the DFI fan from above the nVidia SLI chip and remove the old TIM from the chip and replace with arctic silver5.

This is outlined by Angry here ----> http://www.angrygames.com/chipset_clean-1.htm

 

5 - I will then Install CPU, clean the CPU as outlined by Angry here --> http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20832 (Post #1) then place some AS5 on the CPU, then install the heatsink.

 

6 - Install 1 stick RAM in DIMM slot 2 I know I'm going against madian's advice here, but it seems as if a lot of people use the 2nd slot right off the bat, if the 2nd slot does not allow a boot, I will move to 1st per madian's advice.

 

7 - Install video card in top (closest to CPU) PCI-E slot.

 

8 - Connect keyboard, monitor (I don't think connecting the mouse is necessary).

 

9- Connect power supply to motherboard – be sure to make all four connections.

This is outlined in ed jacobsen's post #95 of his thread - http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...76&postcount=95

 

10 - First boot – use EZ Touch Power Switch on motherboard to turn power on. To enter BIOS, press DEL before the fourth diagnostic LED turns off. Load Optimized Defaults/save and exit.

 

11a - Connect floppy. Clear CMOS for minute or two??????????????

11b - Clear CMOS for minute or two?????????????

 

12 - 2nd boot - Flash bios to 8/31/2005 edition which can be found here -

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21972

 

13a - (3rd boot). Reboot and load optimized defaults/save and exit.

13b - Disconnect power supply.

 

14 - Install mobo and I/O shield in case.

 

15a - Connect case and CPU fans to motherboard.

15b - Connect front panel connectors and case fans to motherboard.

 

16 - Install power supply (can be done before Step 14 if you prefer).

 

(Note - Steps 14 through 16 can be performed in any order you prefer, I'd just prefer to have as much space as possible before installing the PSU into the case.)

 

17 - Connect power supply to motherboard – be sure to make all four connections.

 

18 - Connect monitor.

 

19 - Connect keyboard and mouse.

 

20 - Fourth boot. Run Memtest86 v3.2 (bootable CD downloaded from http://www.memtest86.com/) on RAM stick #1.

20a - After memtest is complete on stick #1 for 3 hours and if successful, swap out RAM sticks.

20b - Run memtest on stick #2 for 3 hours and if successful, install both sticks.

 

21. Install hard and optical drives.

 

22 - Fifth BOOT - Press DEL to enter BIOS

22a - Enter optimal BIOS settings ?????

 

23 - Install OS (I will be using Windows XP Professional Slipstreamed SP2). During install of Win XP, drives will be partitioned and then formatted to be able to use them and then Install of OS continues. Directions on creating a bootable slipstreamed Win XP http://www.helpwithwindows.com/Wind...sp2-bootcd.html and http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/...am-Guide_1.html ...among others anyway..

 

24 - Install MB drivers from DFI supplied CD (Note: some drivers cause problems for some users; do not install Nvidia IDE drivers or Nvidia Firewall / Nforce Network Access Manager programs; do not install Ntune from the DFI disc).

 

25 - Install video drivers from DFI supplied CD and/or CD supplied with video card.

 

26 - Install monitor drivers from CD supplied with monitor. (if necessary, won't be for me since I'm using an older CRT monitor and XP will recognize it for me).

 

27 - Test all USB/sound/mic connections on case and MB.

 

28 - Test speed and stability overnight with PRIME 95.

 

29 - If all ends up OK from step 27, then enable cool n quiet. Disable when I begin overclocking. This can be enabled in your power mgmt settings in BIOS.

 

30 - Hook up peripherals.

 

31 - Load other software

 

32 - Install virus protection. AVG freeware http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ ???????????????????/

 

33 - Before connecting to internet, set-up your internet connection, if you need help read http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1743653,00.asp

 

34 - onnect to internet through LAN.

 

Some questions that I have..

#11 - Is clearing the CMOS necessary before flashing the BIOS?

#22a - what would be the optimal BIOS settings for an Infinity board?

#32 - is AVG freeware virus protetion really that good? Because I already have Norton, but they'll charge you yearly for their definitions and such. WHat do you guys think?

 

Well,. there it is.. Let me know what you think. Sorry for the long post, just want to get this right being that its my first build ever. Thanks in advance.

[ICON57]

Hi, welcome to dfi-street. regards to question#11, i would clear the cmos b4 flashing, yes.

#32 avg is a good rated av program, i use avast, also free, so far no problems after 2 years of use on all my builds..not a big norton fan myself...just my opinion.

good luck on your build, take your time, looks like you have done all your reading, so you are way ahead of the game...and a build journal with pic/diary is a great idea.

[CousCous]

The only thing I would do differently (based on my own experiences) is connect the HD's and CD drives, floppy and whatever else you can outside the case before you put everything in the case and see if it boots.

 

I built the same rig twice in the past month (once had to RMA a board) and both times everything was lovely outside the case, but once I put the mobo in the case and connected the above mentioned peripherals, i'd get 4 leds.

 

It's not necessary to do but after an hour of taping down cables and making everything pretty inside the case, only to find you get 4 leds, I was ... a little upset.

[Boppo]

I hope you realize all of that was written for a LP NF4 SLI/Ultra not the Inifinty SLI. Your board is going to be different, and thus some of those steps will be different. Most expecially the BIOSes are different.

[RockECU]

Yes, I realize that, that's why I'm posting here and looking for assistance with any thing that may be different.

[RockECU]

Anybody know about the question to #23a?? Also, should I go ahead and flash to the new bios immediately or do it after my first boot?